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Comics were considered disposable, a temporary distraction, which is why so few copies of Golden Age books survive today, despite print runs in the hundreds of thousands. The same thought applied to the art used in the production process, tossed aside as an afterthought, or disposed of by publishers. As a result, the original art for nearly all the classic early works in comic books is lost forever, shredded and tattered, buried in landfills or incinerated and gone to ash.

Except for one truly remarkable piece, the first highlight of the collection, the original hand-colored art on the silver-print for Action #1!

Ed Eisenberg got his start as a young man doing color proofs for National Periodicals (now DC comics). To save money and time, publishers would print "silver proofs," cheap and slightly faded knockoff prints of finalized black-and-white line art printed on paper that would easily absorb watercolors, allowing color artists to mock up basic looks for the covers and interiors of comics to see what palette would work best. It was Ed who devised the color scheme for what became the single most-important comic cover ever published, Action Comics #1, the first appearance of the first superhero, Superman. As always, several proofs were made, allowing editors to choose which look had maximum impact, while the discarded ideas were tossed and gone forever.

Eisenberg, returning to the job after WWII, discovered this one surviving copy, showcasing his original color art, which had been hanging on Harry Donenfeld's office wall behind his desk, for years, and was about to be disposed of while workers cleared out the desk of the ailing publisher. Ed saved it from the scrap heap and took it home, where it remained in his possession until its appearance in auction some 60 years later. As the original art from this issue is long lost, this is likely the only remaining piece left of the construction of an American pop-culture monument, making it among the most historically significant items we've had the privilege of offering.

Observe the major variation in coloring: Eisenberg notes that the red car, while attractive and eye-catching, fought for attention with the red of Superman's cape, and, as editors felt that Superman must be the central figure on the cover, so the car's color was changed, bringing the final imagery in line with what we all know and love. The value and importance of this piece, both to comics and to Americana, cannot possibly be overstated. There are less than 100 copies of Action #1 out there, and look what's happened to the prices on those. Imagine if there was only one, like this hand-colored silver print!

From the collection of Ed Eisenberg (and Harry Donenfeld) This treasure hung in the office of DC Comics for many years. 7.5" x 10.25"

Issues 1-5; Complete set from the Forry Ackerman collection(1933-1934) Issue #3 contains the legendary story Reign of the SupermanHidden Valley Collection

Written by Jerry Siegel and Drawn by Joe Shuster.

Comic book history doesn't get much rarer or more important than highlight #4 of the Hidden Valley Collection. The earliest known published work by one of comics' most-important creative teams, this extremely rare complete set of five fanzines hearkens from the pre-convention early days of science fiction fandom. Personally mimeographed by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in an extremely small run (less than 50 by some estimates), the third issue boasts the legendary and rarely seen "Reign of the Superman". Originally presented as a world-beating villain, and resembling eventual arch-enemy Lex Luthor more than the Man of Steel, Siegel and Shuster quickly realized the potential of the character as a hero, and soon after reworked the concept into a pitch for newspaper strip editors.

Fanzines were, in the pre-internet era, the easiest way for fans to network, communicate, and share ideas, and Siegel and Shuster were among the earliest and most active in sci-fi fandom. When pulp publishers repeatedly failed to print their submissions, the young duo took to their mimeograph, self-publishing their delirious tales of adventure and mayhem with surprising style and professionalism. This hand-printed set originally comes from the collection of sci-fi legend and literary agent Forrest J. Ackerman, who likely acquired them when they were originally published in 1933. These copies have been in the hands of the Hidden Valley Collection's owner since being auctioned off by Sotheby's over 25 years ago. Not only does this set boast the first-ever "Superman" tale, but also what is believed to be the first printed mention of King Kong in issue #4. Notably, issue #5 informs readers that, although the fanzines will no longer be produced, a very exciting new development was coming soon, and subscribers should "stay tuned." It has been said that statement referred to their finally convincing a publisher to believe in their concept of a superhero with super-powers, which was unfathomable to their efforts prior. Thus, the origins of Superman, the Hero!

The comic publishers of the Golden Age, after repeatedly rejecting Siegel and Shuster, finally bought into the superhero concept, and as a result, ushered in a new world, whose scope and impact would continually expand in importance and influence until the current day, and with the unequaled success of superhero movies and TV series, there seems to be no end in sight, and all because of this humble, mimeographed fanzine, created by two motivated dreamers all those years ago.

While showing signs of wear, and betraying its humble origins of inexpensive paper stock and hand-cranked printing, these issues are in very fine shape for their age and rarity. It's not often that one gets to see American pop-culture history in the making, and this remarkable collection set, one of only two complete sets known to have survived, is among the most-important lots we've ever had the privilege to offer, a once-in-a-lifetime collecting opportunity. Along with the Hidden Valley Collection's Action Comics #1, Superman #1, and Action Comics #1 hand-colored Silver Print, this legendary run of fanzines completes a group of four pillars that form the foundation of this amazing and historical auction, the likes of which will never be seen again!

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Yes, there were quite a few auction possibilities but I came to feel most comfortable with ComicConnect. One of the things that impressed me was their ability to promote and publicize their auctions. They auctioned a copy of Action 1 and I recall hearing about it on WBBM radio in Chicago which I thought was rather unique for a comic book auction. I’ve dealt with Stephen Fishler since 1986 and he impresses me as someone who enjoys comics, so it’s not just business. Their attention to detail for each auction listing was impeccable. My double cover collection reached prices that were well beyond my expectations and all for a very low and fair commission rate.